Because Jesus Said So

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 NLT

Alistair Begg is a theologian and minister who currently resides in Ohio but is originally from Scotland. He has a unique ability to explain complex theological concepts in an easily understandable manner. In my opinion, he presents this passage of Scripture in such a way that so clearly defines the Gospel in its purest, simplest way. Following is a transcript of his two-minute excerpt.

Without the preaching of the cross, without preaching the cross to ourselves all day and every day, we will very, very quickly revert to faith plus works as the ground of our salvation; so that, to go to the old Fort Lauderdale question—“If you were to die tonight and you were getting entry into heaven, what would you say?”—If you answer that, and if I answer it, in the first person, we’ve immediately gone wrong. “Because I…” “Because I believed. Because I have faith. Because I am this. Because I am continuing...” Loved ones, the only proper answer’s in the third person: “Because He…” “Because He…”

Think about the thief on the cross… I can’t wait to find that fellow one day to ask him, “How did that shake out for you? Because you were cussing the guy out with your friend. You’d never been in a Bible study. You’d never got baptized. You didn’t know a thing about church membership. And yet—and yet, you made it! You made it! How did you make it?”

That’s what the angel must have said—you know, like, “What are you doing here?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“Well, ’cause I don’t know.”
“Well, you know… Excuse me. Let me get my supervisor.”
They go get the supervisor angel: “So, we’ve just a few questions for you. First of all, are you clear on the doctrine of justification by faith?”
The guy says, “I’ve never heard of it in my life.”
“And what about… Let’s just go to the doctrine of Scripture immediately.”
This guy’s just staring.
And eventually, in frustration, he [the angel] says, “On what basis are you here?”
And he said, “The Man on the middle cross said I can come.”

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Jesus... He is the only reason. HE is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for Your plan of salvation. Thank You for making it so plain. Forgive us for the times we complicate it by adding our man-made stipulations. Strip the lies from our eyes and help us see clearly so we can point the way for others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen